Relay connector

ABSTRACT

A second operating lever is provided on a first operating lever so as to swing by means of a swing shaft. A board GND block is fixed to the first operating lever. An outer shell GND block is connected to the second operating lever and is movable in an approaching and separating direction in association with a swing motion of the second operating lever. A resilient member resiliently urges in a direction of bringing the outer shell GND block into contact with the board GND block. The outer shell GND block is formed with a through hole into which an insulating pipe is inserted. A probe is inserted into the insulating pipe and is brought into contact with a distal end of the core conductor. The outer shell GND of the coaxial connector is fixed to the outer shell GND block. A pressure member is provided on the outer shell GND block. The board GND block is electrically connected to the outer shell GND block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a relay connector for electricallyconnecting a core conductor of a coaxial connector to a terminalelectrode provided on a surface of a board, and for electricallyconnecting an outer shell GND of the coaxial connector to a GNDelectrode provided on a back face of the board.

In designing and producing a high frequency circuit board or the like,it is necessary to evaluate its performance in a process of designingthereof. For this purpose, a core conductor of a coaxial connector iselectrically connected to a terminal electrode which is provided at anend of a surface of the board, and an outer shell GND of the coaxialconnector is electrically connected to a GND electrode which is providedat an end of a back face of the board, whereby performance is evaluatedbased on high frequency signals obtained from the terminal electrode. Astructure for electrically connecting the related art coaxial connectorto the board will be briefly described referring to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.9 is a view showing the structure for electrically connecting therelated art coaxial connectors to the board. FIG. 10 is an explodedperspective view showing a state before the related art coaxialconnectors are connected to the board. In FIGS. 9 and 10, coreconductors 14 a of the coaxial connectors (SMA type connectors, forexample) 14 are electrically connected to terminal electrodes 12 whichare provided at an end of a surface of a board 10 by soldering, andouter shell GNDs 14 b of the coaxial connectors 14 are electricallyconnected to a GND electrode 16 which is provided at an end of a backface of the board 10.

In the structure as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the coaxial connectors14 are electrically connected to the board, soldering work is annoying.Moreover, when the coaxial connectors 14 are detached from the board,work for melting the solder is also annoying. Besides, on occasion ofsoldering and melting the solder, heat is applied to a dielectricmember, which is resin material and constitutes a component of thecoaxial connector 14, thereby causing such anxiety that the dielectricmember may be deformed and/or changed in electrical performance.Therefore, such a board under the conventional structure is noteconomically favorable in view of the limited number of repetitive use.

Meanwhile, a related art of electrically connecting the coaxialconnector to the board without soldering is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,017,865. Briefly describing, this related art is constructed by fixingan outer shell GND of a coaxial connector to a block formed ofelectrically conductive material, by projecting a core conductor of thecoaxial connector from one face of this block in an electricallyinsulated state, and further, by providing a moving member which isformed of electrically conductive material and capable of moving alongthe one face of this block. In a state where a board is mounted on themoving member, this moving member is moved toward the core conductor tobring the core conductor into contact with the terminal electrodeprovided at the end of the surface of the board, thereby obtainingelectrical connection. At the same time, because the GND electrodeprovided at the end of the back face of the board is mounted on themoving member, the outer shell GND obtains electrical connection by wayof this moving member and the block. Therefore, it is possible toelectrically connect the coaxial connector to the board withoutsoldering.

In the related art disclosed in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No.5,017,865, a structure for moving the moving member carrying the boardtoward the core conductor of the coaxial connector is complicated, andan apparatus is considerably large as a whole. It is desired to providean apparatus which is more compact, and can attach and detach thecoaxial connector to and from the board more easily.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a relay connectorwhich is compact, and at the same time, can electrically connect acoaxial connector to a board by simple operation, and can easily detachthe coaxial connector from the board.

In order to achieve the object, according to the invention, there isprovided a relay connector for electrically connecting a core conductorof a coaxial connector to a terminal electrode provided at an end of asurface of a board, and for electrically connecting an outer shell GNDof the coaxial connector to a GND electrode provided at an end of a backface of the board, the relay connector comprising:

a first operating lever;

a second operating lever, provided on the first operating lever so as toswing by means of a first swing shaft;

a board GND block, comprised of electrically conductive material, andfixed to the first operating lever at one side with respect to the swingshaft;

an outer shell GND block, comprised of electrically conductive material,and connected to the second operating lever at the one side with respectto the swing shaft so as to be opposed to the board GND block and so asto move in an approaching and separating direction in association with aswing motion of the second operating lever;

a resilient member, provided between the first operating lever and thesecond operating lever in a contracted manner at the other side withrespect to the swing shaft, and resiliently urging in a direction ofbringing the outer shell GND block into contact with the board GNDblock, wherein;

the outer shell GND block is formed with a through hole which extends inthe approaching and separating direction and into which an insulatingpipe is inserted;

a probe is inserted into the insulating pipe, and one end of the probeis brought into contact with a distal end face of the core conductor;

the outer shell GND of the coaxial connector is fixed to a face of theouter shell GND block at an opposite side to the board GND block to beelectrically connected thereto;

an insulating pressure member is provided on a face of the outer shellGND block opposed to the board GND block so the probe which has beeninserted into the insulating pipe does not escape in a state where aplunger at the other end of the probe is projected; and

the board GND block is electrically connected to the outer shell GNDblock.

A linear guide member uprightly provided on the board GND block in theapproaching and separating direction may be inserted into a guide holeformed in the outer shell GND block in the approaching and separatingdirection, whereby the outer shell GND block linearly moves relative tothe board GND block in the approaching and separating direction. Aconnecting member may be connected to a distal end of the secondoperating lever at the one side and is fixed to the outer shell GNDblock, and the second operating lever may be connected to the connectingmember by means of a second swing shaft which is parallel to the firstswing shaft and an elongated hole in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the approaching and separating direction into which thesecond swing shaft is inserted, whereby the outer shell GND blocklinearly moves in association with the swing motion of the secondoperating lever.

A leaf spring comprised of electrically conductive material may be fixedto the board GND block, and be brought into resiliently contact with theouter shell GND block so as to slide in the approaching and separatingdirection, whereby the board GND block is electrically connected to theouter shell GND block.

The insulating pipe into which the probe is inserted may be comprised ofmaterial having the same dielectric constant as a dielectric membercovering the core conductor of the coaxial connector.

The dielectric member which covers the core conductor of the coaxialconnector may be projected from a mounting face of the outer shell GND,and a projected part may be so adapted to be inserted into the throughhole which is formed in the outer shell GND block.

A distal end side of the core conductor of the coaxial connector may beinserted into the insulating pipe, and the one end of the probe may bebrought into contact with the distal end face of the core conductor,inside the insulating pipe.

A width of the relay connector may be set to be equal to a width of thecoaxial connector.

According to the invention, there is also provided a relay connector,comprising:

a conductive first GND block, on which a board both faces of which areformed with a first terminal and a second terminal, respectively, is tobe put so that the first terminal is brought in contact with the firstGND block;

a conductive second GND block, including a first face facing the firstGND block, a second face being opposite to the first face, and a throughhole which communicates the first face and the second face and intowhich a probe is inserted, the probe being insulated from the second GNDblock; and

a link member, connected to the first GND block and the second GNDblock, and adapted to cause the second GND block to approach or beseparated from the first GND block, wherein

an outer shell GND of a coaxial connector is fixed on the second face ofthe second GND block; and

a core conductor of the coaxial connector is connected to one end of theprobe in the through hole of the second GND block.

The relay connector may further comprise: a urging member, adapted tourge the second GND block toward the first GND block through the linkmember.

At least when the board is clamped by the first GND block and the secondGND block, the other end of the probe may be held in contact with thesecond terminal of the board, and the first GND block and the second GNDblock may be connected with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C show an outer appearance of a relay connector in oneembodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1Bis a plan view, and FIG. 1C is a left side view.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a part of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen in a direction of arrow marks A-A onFIG. 1B.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view partly cut away showing a state where a firstoperating lever and a second operating lever are gripped and a board isinserted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view partly cut away showing a state where theboard is clamped after it has been inserted, by relaxing the grip of thefirst operating lever and the second operating lever.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view partly cut away showing a structureof a part where an insulating pipe is arranged.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a structure for providing aleaf spring.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view partly cut away showing a relay connector ina second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure for electrically connecting relatedart coaxial connectors to a board.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before therelated art coaxial connectors are connected to the board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, a first embodiment of the invention will be described referring toFIGS. 1A to 7. In FIGS. 1A to 7, the same or equivalent members as inFIGS. 9 and 10 will be denoted with the same reference numerals andoverlapping descriptions will be omitted.

In FIGS. 1A to 7, in the relay connector in the first embodiment of theinvention, a second operating lever 22 is mounted on a first operatinglever 20 by means of a swing shaft 24 so as to swing. A board GND block26 formed of electrically conductive material is fixed to an end of thefirst operating lever 20 at one side with respect to the swing shaft 24,with screws. This board GND block 26 includes aboard receiving part 26 aand a movement holding part 26 b which are fixed to each other withscrews. Moreover, a connecting member 30 is connected to an end of thesecond operating lever 22 at one side with respect to the swing shaft24, by means of a second swing shaft 28 which is in parallel with theswing shaft 24. An outer shell GND block 32 formed of electricallyconductive material is fixed to this connecting member 30. This outershell GND block 32 is arranged at a position opposed to the board GNDblock 26. Further, a coaxial connector (an SMA connector, for example)34 is fixed to a face of the outer shell GND block 32 at an oppositeside to the board GND block 26. This coaxial connector 34 includes anouter shell GND 34 a which is fixed to the outer shell GND block 32 withscrews and electrically connected thereto. Additionally, a resilientspring 36 is provided between the first operating lever 20 and thesecond operating lever 22 in a contracted state, at the other side withrespect to the swing shaft 24, and resiliently urging in a direction ofbringing the outer shell GND block 32 into contact with the board GNDblock 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, spring receiving members 38, 40 are respectivelyfixed to the first operating lever 20 and the second operating lever 22with screws and nuts, whereby positions of both ends of the resilientspring 36 are fixed. The swing shaft 24 is restrained from moving in anaxial direction, by an E-ring 42 which is provided in a hole formed inthe second operating lever 22 having a C-shape in section. Theconnecting member 30 is formed with an elongated hole 30 a into whichthe second swing shaft 28 is inserted, so that the outer shell GND block32 can move linearly to approach and separate relative to the board GNDblock 26, in association with swing motions of the second operatinglever 22 relative to the first operating lever 20. In this embodiment,as shown in FIG. 2, linear guide members 44, 44 which are uprightlyprovided on the movement holding part 26 b of the board GND block 26 inan approaching and separating direction of the outer shell GND block 32are inserted into guide holes 32 a, 32 a formed in the outer shell GNDblock 32, the holes passing the block 32 through in the approaching andseparating direction. In this manner, the outer shell GND block is soconstructed as to linearly move relative to the board GND block 26 inthe approaching and separating direction.

The movement holding part 26 b of the board GND block 26 is formed witha groove in a concave shape, and the outer shell GND block 32 isprovided with a convex part 32 b which can be inserted in and engagedwith the concave groove. Moreover, the board receiving part 26 a of theboard GND block 26 is formed with a dented part which can contain a leafspring 46 having electrical conductivity, as shown in FIG. 7. The leafspring 46 is contained in this dented part and fixed with screws. In astate where the leaf spring 46 is fixed, the board receiving part 26 ais fixed to the movement holding part 26 b. In addition, in the statewhere the convex part 32 b of the outer shell GND block 32 is insertedinto the concave groove of the movement holding part 26 b, the leafspring 46 is so adapted as to be resiliently contacted with a front face32 c of the convex part 32 b.

Further, the outer shell GND block 32 is formed with a through hole 32 dpassing it through in the approaching and separating direction. In thestate where the dielectric member 34 b projecting from the outer shellGND 34 a of the coaxial connector 34 is inserted into an open end of thethrough hole 32 d, the coaxial connector 34 is fixed to the outer shellGND block 32 with screws. Further, an insulating pipe 50 formed ofmaterial having the same dielectric constant as the dielectric member 34b is inserted into the through hole 32 d. A probe 52 having movableplungers at its both ends is inserted into this insulating pipe 50. Adistal end portion of a core conductor 34 c which is exposed by peelingfrom the dielectric member 34 b is inserted into one end of theinsulating pipe 50, in such a manner that the plunger at the one end ofthe probe 52 is resiliently contacted with a distal end face of the coreconductor 34 c, inside the insulating pipe 50. Still further, aninsulating pressure member 54 formed of insulating material is fixed toa face of the outer shell GND block 32 opposed to the board GND block 26with screws, so that the probe 52 itself may not escape from the boardGND block 26 in a state where the plunger at the other end of the probe52 is projected. In this embodiment, the plunger at the other end of theprobe 52 is so arranged as to be opposed to the board receiving part 26a of the board GND block 26, and a face of the board receiving part 26 awhich receives a board 10 is formed on a plane perpendicular to an axialdirection of the probe 52. It is apparent that the core conductor 34 cand the probe 52 are electrically insulated from the outer shell GNDblock 32. It is to be noted that an inner diameter of the through hole32 d formed in the outer shell GND block 32 is appropriately changed ona halfway of the axial direction. Besides, a width of the relayconnector of the invention, that is, a lateral length of the firstoperating lever 20, the board GND block 26, and the outer shell GNDblock 32 is set to be equal to a width of the coaxial connector 34,which is 12.7 mm, for example.

In the above described structure, as shown in FIG. 4, as a first step,the first operating lever 20 and the second operating lever 22 arefirmly gripped against resilience of the resilient spring 36, wherebythe outer shell GND block 32 is separated from the board GND block 26,and a gap is formed between the board receiving part 26 a and theinsulating pressure member 54. Then, the board 10 is inserted into thisgap and positioned so that the plunger of the probe 52 may be opposed tothe terminal electrode 12. In this state, by relaxing the grip of thefirst operating lever 20 and the second operating lever 22, as shown inFIG. 5, the board 10 is clamped between the board receiving part 26 aand the insulating pressure member 54 with the resilience of theresilient spring 36. Then, the plunger of the probe 52 is resilientlybrought into contact with the terminal electrode 12 of the board 10,whereby the terminal electrode 12 is electrically connected to the coreconductor 34 c of the coaxial connector 34. Moreover, the GND electrode16 of the board 10 is electrically connected to the board receiving part26 a, since it is mounted on the board receiving part 26 a, and further,electrically connected to the outer shell GND 34 a of the coaxialconnector 34 by way of the leaf spring 46 and the outer shell GND block32 connected in series. In this manner, by gripping the first operatinglever 20 and the second operating lever 22 to clamp the board 10, theterminal electrode 12 and the GND electrode 16 of the board 10 can beelectrically connected to the coaxial connector 34 easily. Then, bygripping the first operating lever 20 and the second operating lever 22again, the board 10 which has been clamped can be easily detached. Inaddition, because the width of the relay connector according to theinvention is set to be equal to the width of the coaxial connector 34,it is possible to arrange a plurality of the relay connectors accordingto the invention on the board 10, at the maximum density that thecoaxial connectors 34 can be arranged in parallel in the lateraldirection.

Now, a second embodiment of the invention will be described referring toFIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the same or equivalent members as in FIGS. 1A to 7will be denoted with the same reference numerals and overlappeddescriptions will be omitted.

In the relay connector in the second embodiment of the invention, adielectric member covering a core conductor 64 c of a coaxial connector64 is not projected from an outer shell GND 64 a, but only the coreconductor 64 c exposed by peeling from the dielectric member isprojected. Therefore, an insulating pipe 60 is inserted into the throughhole 32 d in the outer shell GND block 32 along an entire length of thethrough hole 32 d, and the core conductor 64 c projected from the outershell GND 64 a is inserted into one end of the insulating pipe 60. Aplunger at one end of the probe 52 which is inserted into the insulatingpipe 60 is so adapted as to be resiliently contacted with a distal endface of the core conductor 64 c, inside the insulating pipe 60. An innerdiameter and an outer diameter of the insulating pipe 60 in this secondembodiment are appropriately changed in the axial direction.

A mechanism for restricting the linear movement of the outer shell GNDblock 32 relative to the board GND block 26 in the approaching andseparating direction is not limited to the structure in the abovedescribed embodiments, but it is possible to appropriately form themechanism using a dovetail groove or the like. A mechanism for linearlymoving the outer shell GND block 32 by swinging the second operatinglever 22 relative to the first operating lever 20 too is not limited tothe structure in the above described embodiments, but may be formedemploying an appropriate link mechanism. Moreover, a structure forelectrically connecting the board receiving part 26 a, on which the GNDelectrode 16 of the board 10 is mounted, to the outer shell GND block 32is not limited to the structure using the leaf spring 46 in the abovedescribed embodiment, but they may be connected by a flexible electricwire. Any structure can be employed provided that reliable electricalconnection can be obtained. Further, the probe 52 is not limited to sucha structure that movable plungers are provided at both ends, but a probehaving a movable plunger at one end can be also used. Still further, theresilient member which is provided between the first operating lever 20and the second operating member 22 in a contracted state is not limitedto the resilient spring 36 in the above described embodiments, but aplate-like spring may be employed.

According to an aspect of the invention, by gripping the first operatinglever and the second operating lever against resilience of the resilientmember to form a gap between the board GND block and the outer shell GNDblock, and by relaxing the grip after the board has been inserted intothis gap, the board is clamped between the board GND block and the outershell GND block, whereby the core conductor of the coaxial connector isbrought into contact with the terminal electrode provided on the surfaceof the board by way of the probe, and the outer shell GND is broughtinto contact with the GND electrode provided on the back face of theboard to be electrically connected respectively. Then, by gripping thefirst operating lever and the second operating lever again against theresilience of the resilient member, the board GND block is separatedfrom the outer shell GND block, and the board is detached. Accordingly,it is possible to electrically connect the board to the coaxialconnector easily, and to detach it easily.

Moreover, the outer shell GND block can move linearly relative to theboard GND block in the approaching and separating direction by the swingmotion of the second operating lever. Therefore, the outer shell GNDblock moves relative to the board in the perpendicular direction, and itwill not occur that the probe in contact with the terminal electrode onthe board may be displaced sideward and broken.

Although the outer shell GND block moves relative to the board GND blockin the approaching and separating direction, the leaf spring formed ofelectrically conductive material is resiliently contacted with the outershell GND block so as to slide. Therefore, the electrical connectionbetween the board GND block and the outer shell GND block can bereliably performed.

The insulating pipe into which the probe is inserted is formed of thematerial having the same dielectric constant as the dielectric memberwhich covers the core conductor of the coaxial connector. Therefore, itis easy to set the impedance from the core conductor to the probe at thesame value.

The dielectric member which covers the core conductor of the coaxialconnector is projected from the mounting face of the outer shell GND,and the projected part is so adapted to be inserted into the throughhole which is formed in the outer shell GND block. Therefore, theprojected part of the dielectric member which covers the core conductorcan be easily formed in the coaxial structure, and at the same time, thecoaxial connector can be easily and reliably positioned with respect tothe outer shell GND block.

The distal end side of the core conductor of the coaxial connector isinserted into the insulating pipe so that one end of the probe may becontacted with the distal end face of the core conductor inside theinsulating pipe. Therefore, it is possible to reliably bring the one endof the probe into contact with the distal end face of the core conductorwith a simple structure.

The width of the relay connector is set to be equal to the width of thecoaxial connector. Therefore, a plurality of the relay connectorsaccording to the invention can be arranged on the board at the maximumdensity that the coaxial connectors can be arranged on the board.

1. A relay connector for electrically connecting a core conductor of acoaxial connector to a terminal electrode provided at an end of asurface of a board, and for electrically connecting an outer shell GNDof the coaxial connector to a GND electrode provided at an end of a backface of the board, the relay connector comprising: a first operatinglever; a second operating lever, provided on the first operating leverso as to swing by means of a first swing shaft; a board GND block,comprised of electrically conductive material, and fixed to the firstoperating lever at one side with respect to the swing shaft; an outershell GND block, comprised of electrically conductive material, andconnected to the second operating lever at the one side with respect tothe swing shaft so as to be opposed to the board GND block and so as tomove in an approaching and separating direction in association with aswing motion of the second operating lever; a resilient member, providedbetween the first operating lever and the second operating lever in acontracted manner at the other side with respect to the swing shaft, andresiliently urging in a direction of bringing the outer shell GND blockinto contact with the board GND block, wherein: the outer shell GNDblock is formed with a through hole which extends in the approaching andseparating direction and into which an insulating pipe is inserted; aprobe is inserted into the insulating pipe, and one end of the probe isbrought into contact with a distal end face of the core conductor; theouter shell GND of the coaxial connector is fixed to a face of the outershell GND block at an opposite side to the board GND block to beelectrically connected thereto; an insulating pressure member isprovided on a face of the outer shell GND block opposed to the board GNDblock so the probe which has been inserted into the insulating pipe doesnot escape in a state where a plunger at the other end of the probe isprojected; and the board GND block is electrically connected to theouter shell GND block.
 2. The relay connector as claimed in claim 1,wherein a linear guide member uprightly provided on the board GND blockin the approaching and separating direction is inserted into a guidehole formed in the outer shell GND block in the approaching andseparating direction, whereby the outer shell GND block linearly movesrelative to the board GND block in the approaching and separatingdirection, a connecting member is connected to a distal end of thesecond operating lever at the one side and is fixed to the outer shellGND block, and the second operating lever is connected to the connectingmember by means of a second swing shaft which is parallel to the firstswing shaft and an elongated hole in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the approaching and separating direction into which thesecond swing shaft is inserted, whereby the outer shell GND blocklinearly moves in association with the swing motion of the secondoperating lever.
 3. The relay connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein aleaf spring comprised of electrically conductive material is fixed tothe board GND block, and is brought into resiliently contact with theouter shell GND block so as to slide in the approaching and separatingdirection, whereby the board GND block is electrically connected to theouter shell GND block.
 4. The relay connector as claimed in claim 1,wherein the insulating pipe into which the probe is inserted iscomprised of material having the same dielectric constant as adielectric member covering the core conductor of the coaxial connector.5. The relay connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dielectricmember which covers the core conductor of the coaxial connector isprojected from a mounting face of the outer shell GND, and a projectedpart is so adapted to be inserted into the through hole which is formedin the outer shell GND block.
 6. The relay connector as claimed in claim1, wherein a distal end side of the core conductor of the coaxialconnector is inserted into the insulating pipe, and the one end of theprobe is brought into contact with the distal end face of the coreconductor, inside the insulating pipe.
 7. The relay connector as claimedin claim 1, wherein a width of the relay connector is set to be equal toa width of the coaxial connector.
 8. A relay connector, comprising: aconductive first GND block, on which a board both faces of which areformed with a first terminal and a second terminal, respectively, is tobe put so that the first terminal is brought in contact with the firstGND block; a conductive second GND block, including a first face facingthe first GND block, a second face being opposite to the first face, anda through hole which communicates the first face and the second face andinto which a probe is inserted, the probe being insulated from thesecond GND block; and a link member, connected to the first GND blockand the second GND block, and adapted to cause the second GND block toapproach or be separated from the first GND block, wherein an outershell GND of a coaxial connector is fixed on the second face of thesecond GND block; and a core conductor of the coaxial connector isconnected to one end of the probe in the through hole of the second GNDblock.
 9. The relay connector as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:a urging member, adapted to urge the second GND block toward the firstGND block through the link member.
 10. The relay connector as claimed inclaim 8, wherein at least when the board is clamped by the first GNDblock and the second GND block, the other end of the probe is held incontact with the second terminal of the board, and the first GND blockand the second GND block are connected with each other.